(VOVworld) – Priest Nguyen Van Ky in Huu Le parish has been contributing significantly to new rural development in Thanh Hoa province. He has worked with the local government and social organizations to get parishioners more involved.

Ky has been actively engaged in social activities. Every day, he can be found either in the field, in a friendly volleyball or football match between the church and local youth, or on a charity trip to support poor students. Ky says his primary task is to meet and understand the feelings of local Catholics and to combine religious with social work. He said that party members and local leaders who are Catholics have helped him a lot in encouraging people to take part in social movements. Le Duc De, Chairman of Tho Xuong commune’s People’s Committee, says: “We have been working closely with the priests in all activities and they have been very enthusiastic. We often discuss what happens in the area and ways to work things out.”

After every mass in the church, Ky gives advice on new rural development, doing business, and child and youth education. Ky considers commune activities part of the church’s responsibility. He donated part of his land to build a small canal that runs past the church and he has encouraged other Catholics to contribute money and workdays. Ky oversaw the work, and thanks to his efforts the 1km canal was completed in just a month. Luu Thi Hau is a local Catholic: “Ky supervised the work and encouraged others to complete it on time. He woke up very early every morning, no matter the weather conditions, and called others to go to work.”

Ky said that Catholics should harmonize their religious and social lives to fulfill their responsibility as citizens: “We can’t lead a good religious life without a secular one. We take part in all of the commune’s activities. I have a good relationship with the communal chairman and we are always willing to help one another.”